Happy Chinese New Year!

Published: January 30, 2014 at 10:38 PM

Happy Lunar (Chinese) New Year! Disney's making the Paradise Gardens at Disney California Adventure its go-to locale for holiday-themed activities, and is celebrating Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures with dancers, character meet-and-greets and craft stations from 11am-5pm from Friday through Sunday. No word on any special food items at DCA, though Disney's offering extensive New Year's offerings at Hong Kong Disneyland.

With so many knock-offs of existing Disney attractions already in China, Disney's not about to give the copy-cats a head start by revealing too much about what visitors will find in its Shanghai park. But we've heard that the "mountain" now under construction in the park will be a copy of California Adventure's Grizzly Peak, and will be joined in the park's Adventure Isle land by the new, global version of the Soarin' attraction.

We've already heard about the centerpiece Gardens of Imagination, which will stand in front of the park's Enchanted Storybook Castle and provide the home for Shanghai Disneyland's carousel and Dumbo rides. A boat ride will be included in the castle itself, and a copy the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train from the Magic Kingdom is said to be in the plans for Fantasyland, as well, joined by Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh rides.

A Toy Story Playland, a Pirates of the Caribbean ride (with a unique ride system), and a Tomorrowland featuring a Tron lightcycle-themed roller coaster, Stitch Encounter and a Buzz Lightyear ride round out the initial line-up for the park, which is expected to open in late 2015.

But for now, may you find good fortune in the "Year of the Horse." (Hey, maybe that's a good sign for this family of former Denver residents!)